There are five changes to the starting XV that beat Samoa in November, as Benjamin Fall replaces the injured Vincent Clerc on the left wing and Huget takes over from Brice Dulin, who has been ruled out of the Six Nations, at full-back. It is Huget's first cap in the number 15 jersey for France.

Morgan Parra is relegated to the bench in favour of Machenaud.

The presence of Wesley Fofana on the right wing and Mathieu Bastareaud on the bench means there are four centres in the matchday 23, but no specialist replacement for the back three on the bench.

In the pack, Thierry Dusautoir returns on the flank with Toulouse team-mate Yannick Nyanga sent back his club. Up front, Yannick Forestier starts with Luc Ducalcon on the bench. There is no place for Thomas Domingo.